# NMDC recovers 27.29-carat diamond, its second-largest from Panna mine

2026-09-17T02:02:16+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 4 independent outlets

State-run NMDC Ltd has recovered a 27.29-carat gem-quality diamond from its Panna mine in Madhya Pradesh, the second-largest ever found at the site. The stone, recovered on September 15, carries an initial minimum auction estimate of Rs 1 crore based on colour, clarity, and carat weight, but could fetch Rs 2, 2.5 crore after evaluation and auction. The largest diamond from the mine remains a 34.37-carat stone found in 2010 that sold for Rs 3.2 crore. NMDC's Panna project is the only mechanised diamond mine in South Asia and has produced about 6,000 carats so far in FY 2027. The diamond will now be submitted for formal grading and valuation before auction.

## Indian Opinion Analysis

All four outlets report the same core facts, a 27.29-carat diamond recovered on September 15, a Rs 1 crore minimum estimate, and a potential final value of Rs 2, 2.5 crore. Freepress Journal leads with the diamond as a symbol of Panna's identity and its new GI tag, framing the find as regional pride. Times of India and Siasat focus on NMDC's corporate milestone, the second-largest gem in company history, while The Hindu offers the leanest, most wire-like version. No outlet questions NMDC's valuation or environmental trade-offs, the coverage is uniformly factual and celebratory. With the GI tag in place, the auction will test whether regional branding lifts the diamond's final price above the initial estimate. The tender process is the concrete next step.

## Coverage

- freepressjournal.in (neutral report) <https://www.freepressjournal.in/bhopal/mps-panna-shines-again-2729-carat-diamond-worth-around-rs-2-crore-found-at-nmdc-mine>
  led with Panna's GI tag and regional pride framing
- timesofindia.indiatimes.com (neutral report) <https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/nmdc-discovers-27-29-carat-diamond-at-panna-mine-its-2nd-largest-yet/articleshow/134291199.cms>
  led with corporate milestone and second-largest find
- siasat.com (neutral report) <https://www.siasat.com/telanganas-nmdc-finds-27-29-carat-diamond-worth-rs-2-5-crore-3543387/>
  led with NMDC as Telangana government-run entity
- thehindu.com (neutral report) <https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/nmdc-recovers-a-2729-carat-diamond-from-panna-mining-project/article71473145.ece>
  sparsest wire-style report, no added framing or regional colour

Tags: Amitava Mukherjee, Diamond, GI tag, Madhya Pradesh, NMDC, Panna
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